CPU usage is 100%

[Sean]

My XP Home Edition PC is running quite slowly and
occasionally hangs up. Task Manager always indicates that
my CPU usage is 100%, no matter how few the number of
programs being run (even none). There is plenty of empty
space on my harddrive. Can anyone advise what may be
causing this situation and how to fix? Thanks.

 

[R. McCarty]

Re-open Task Manager, Click the Performance Tab.
Add columns for CPU time, by watching that indicator you
tell which process is "hogging" the CPU. Then you can end
that particular task and research the problem with the software
vendor.

 

[Sharon F]

My XP Home Edition PC is running quite slowly and
occasionally hangs up. Task Manager always indicates that
my CPU usage is 100%, no matter how few the number of
programs being run (even none). There is plenty of empty
space on my harddrive. Can anyone advise what may be
causing this situation and how to fix? Thanks.

Just to make sure Task Manager is giving an accurate picture, click on
View> Refresh. Is the CPU usage still high? If yes, see R. McCarty's reply
on how to discover which program/process is the offender.

If you see the CPU usage drop down to normal then it's possible your Task
Manager is "stuck" like mine was last week. Download
"TaskManager_Reset.Reg" (the Repair link in Line 113) from this page:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Double click the downloaded file and answer "yes" to merge the info to your
registry.